Turning a hobby farm into a quaint country inn is a piece of cake compared to solving a murder.
Ivy Galloway may not know an alpaca from a llama, but nothing’s going to stop her from pursuing her dream of opening a farm-themed inn in her hometown of Clover Grove. Not after what she went through to rescue Keats, her brilliant border collie, and flee the big city.
When Keats finds a body pushing … Keats finds a body pushing up daisies in her rye field, however, the murder puts a blight on Ivy’s plans to welcome her first official guests in just three weeks. The police chief refuses to rush his investigation. Does he really believe she’s a suspect or is he just holding a grudge over what happened in high school?
To clear her name, Ivy starts digging up clues. The former HR exec is no stranger to interviewing, and Keats is a dog who loves a job. As she juggles sleuthing with getting the inn ready to launch, she almost reaches the end of her tether. With her beloved farm’s very future on the line can she solve the case before the killer comes after her next?
Dogcatcher in the Rye is perfect for animal-lovers, and anyone who likes curling up with a fun, fast-paced cozy mystery.
Delicious recipes included!
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cute story
Great cosy mystery with a dog theme
A fun who-dunnit for dog lovers!
Too much dog for me. The lead character ascribed too many human emotions and rationale to the dog.
Fun to read series. Characters are likeable and people you want to continue to get to know
Great book.
Kept me guessing till near the end , such a good read ! Liked the characters and the mystery of the ending.
I would read more by this author.
A fun and quick read.
I started this book and could not get away from it. I then proceeded to buy a couple more since the series was soooo good. Very enjoyable read.
Original and inventive plot. Characters are interesting and endearing. I’m an instant fan of the heroine and this town. Can’t wait for the next book!
Ivy has bought Runaway Farm and is getting ready to open her Inn, when a murder happens on her property. The Chief of Police happens to be her high school sweetheart, Kellen Harper aka Chief Hottie. Ivy can’t just stand by and do nothing, so she searches for evidence, which gets her into some stinky situations. I absolutely love this new series and I can’t to read the next book. If you love a good murder mystery, I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re an animal lover. Keats is one smart border collie, as you’ll find out from reading this book.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Dogcatcher in the Rye (A Bought-the-Farm Mystery #1) by Ellen Riggs
I wrote this review based on a copy that I received from the author.
Ivy Galloway, who dumped the gruelling life of a corporate HR manager in exchange for the idyllic setting of Runaway Farm , “ an amazing getaway for anyone who wants to escape the concrete jungle. “ Accompanied by Keats, a slim border collie, a shaggy black and white dog with one blue eye and one brown, Ivy sets her mind on opening an Inn in what used to be her hometown of Clover Grove. Her ideas are quickly squashed one day after a lousy encounter with a certain Lloyd Boyce, the local animal warden, who arriving on her doorstep deals out a fine, ensued by beastly comments from the town residents derogating the character of Keats. And just when she thought it could not possibly get any worse Ivy stumbles across a dead body on her property, in the middle of her rye field!
Her brother Asher, a member of the police community, is assigned to the murder case with his Chief – Chief Kellan Harper nonetheless…As the memories flood back of their past relationship in school ( which did not end on a positive note to say the least ) Ivy hopes upon hope that he has forgiven and forgotten but unfortunately for her he has not. Being impatient and having a date set for the opening of her Inn, Ivy cant resist acting upon her own instincts and entering the amateur sleuthing scene for herself – I mean, what harm could it do, right?
She embarks on her project aided and abetted by Keats with their unique style of conversation, the dog replying in his own way even though people thought she had lost the plot but despite everything making the perfect team, determined to help cute Chief Harper solve the mystery of the murder and the identity of the killer. The more Ivy digs, the more she learns how many people had an axe to grind with Lloyd, from his wife to any random number of residents in the village. He was far from winning Mr. Personality of the Year Award!
As the mystery continues with the unsolved murder hanging over her head, complete with the feeling of dread that no one will want to vacation at Runaway Farm, she increases her snooping activities which takes her from pillar to post, interviewing various occupants of Clover Grove, ruling each suspect out one at a time.
This is a fastpaced Cozy mystery that will keep you guessing. Join Ivy with her unending list of question and answer tactics with an “ alls well that ends well “ scenario. Looking forward to book 2!
I give Dogcatcher in the Rye 5 out of 5 stars.
A great read!
After reading the prequel to this series, I headed right over to KU and downloaded this book. I am an animal lover who also loves reading clean romances and good mysteries. This series is ticking all the boxes that make for a great read! There were so many red herrings in the story that I did not figure out the criminal before the reveal. What a fun read!
If you like reading stories about great friendships, an intriguing mystery, and a little romance thrown in; this book is a must read for you. I know that you won’t be disappointed.
Absolutely love Keats. What an enjoyable series. Small town, lovely dog, likeable characters and murder of an unlikable character. Could not guess murderer. Cannot wait to read more of this series. I was given a free ARC by the author. My review is freely and honestly given
This is the first book in a new series; however, I suggest you read the prequel, “A Dog with Two Tales,” first. It’s not required but the back story is humorous and heart-stopping scary all at once.
Ivy has recently bought a hobby farm in her hometown. She has some adorably cute animals, but not everyone in town is happy she’s there. After the local dogcatcher is found murdered in her field, she and her sister are both suspects. Ivy needs this murder case solved before it puts a dark cast on her new Bed & Breakfast. When the local sheriff doesn’t move fast enough for her, Ivy decides to do a little amateur sleuthing. Laugh out loud adventures and misadventures ensue.
I can’t wait to see what happens next. Book 2 please!
I received an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.
Dogcatcher in the Rye is my kind of mystery – small town, quirky characters, animals – especially Keats, a murder (glad to see Lloyd gone), second chance romance, etc. I plan to read the entire series as they become available. There are plenty of suspects, but I never guessed the murderer. This is a verey entertaining book that kept me reading very late to finish.
Ellen Riggs has woven a great who done it cozy mystery. I couldn’t put it down. I love trying to solve the mystery, but I thought I had it figured out only to find out I wasn’t even c!ose. A big thumbs up and a five star rating.